Burglar alarm



Sept. 23, 1952 E, T, COUNTS ET L 2,611,334

BURGLAR ALARM Filed OCT 10, 1950 INVENTORS .E'vereZZ 73 Cour: is JzfaroZdBrez'Zenbuc/zez Miwib ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 23, 1952 BURGLAR ALARM.

Everett T. Counts, Stockton, and Harold Breitenbucher, Oakland, (lalif. Application October 10, 1950 .s r'i-aln 189,344 ,1.

This invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide, a novel burglar alarm; the device, while especially designed for windows, is not limited to such use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a burglar alarm which is of relatively simple structure but very effective in operation to sound an audible warning if an atempt be made to open the window.

' A further object of the invention is to provide 'a'- burglar alarm which includes a spring actuated escapement mechanism arranged to ring a bell, and there being a novel window-motion actuated trigger normally locking such mechanismagainst operation.

An additional object is to provide a burglar alarm wherein the main portion of-the device is mounted, in novel manner, for easy manual swinging from inwardly of the window, between a working and non-working position whereby when the device is in said latter position, the window may be opened or closed without the alarm functioning.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a burglar alarm which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliable burglar alarm, and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as willfully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the device as swung to its non-working position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but shows the device in working position.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the device; the case being in section and the control trigger shown in its set position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view, but shows the control trigger as released by window motion.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the device, with the case in section.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the device comprises a horizontal base plate I adapted to be secured on top of the lower sash 2 at one corner thereof.

The numeral 3 indicates the bottom plate of an upstanding case 2; the latter being secured to said bottom plate 3, at opposite ends, by snap 3 Claims. (Cl. 116-91 locks 5. At one end the bottom plate ,3 projects, as a tongue 6, beyond the case 4, and said tongue is pivoted, as at 'l, to'the base plate {for swinging of the bottom plate 3 and'consequently the case 4 from a non-working position projecting inwardly from the window, as in Fig. 1', to; .a working position parallel to the base plate/l, as in Fig. 2. When the bottom plate'3 is in working position, as in Fig. 2, itis frictionally held in place by a detent 8;

Within the case 14 the bottom pl 'te 3. supports a spring .a'ctuatedfescapeinent fmechanism, indicated generally at 9, which mechanism includes an upstanding frame Ill, an'escapement wheel II, and a pawl I2, whose pivot is indicated at l3. A striker arm I4, is fixed in connection with .the pawl i2 for oscillation about pivot l 3; said striker arm including astriker' head lfi position'ed to engage a, bell I6 supported from the frame' ill 7 A depending finger His fixed in connection with the pawl 12 and striker arm l4 whereby to likewise oscillate about the pivot I3. 1

The depending finger "I1 is "normally locked against swinging motion, in the manner as will hereinafter appear; andthus the device is normally out of operation. 3 4 1 However, upon release'of the depending-finger ll, the-escapement mechanism 9-;functions, and the striker head [5 recurringly strikes and rings the hell it.

The spring actuated escapement mechanism 9 is adapted to have the spring I8 thereof wound by a winding knob l9 accessible exteriorly of the case 4.

An elongated upstanding leaf spring 20 is fixed at its lower end, as at 21, to the frame l0, and at its upper end such spring includes a laterally inwardly projecting tip 22, whichunder the normal influence of the spring 20-15 retracted clear of the depending finger H; the spring tending to swing out. However, such tip 22 is normally maintained in the oscillatory path of the finger ll, preventing operation of the escapement mechanism 9, as follows:

A cross rod 23 projects outwardly from the frame In through the leaf spring 20 adjacent but short of its upper end, and a fork-like, two-way cam 24 straddles the rod 23 outwardly of the spring 20; the cam being pivoted to said rod as at 25. The cam 24 is tapered top and bottom, but when in axial alinement with the rod 23, urges the leaf spring 20 inwardly a distance such that the tip 22 projects into the oscillatory path of the depending finger I! (see Fig. 3). However, upon swinging of the cam 24 either upwardly or downwardly from a position axially alinedwith 3 the rod 23 (see Fig. 4) the high point of the cam is no longer effective, and the spring 20 retracts the tip 22 out of the path of the finger 22; whereupon the escapement mechanism 9 causes the striker head l to ring the hell I 6.

When the device is in its operative position, as in Fig. 2, with the cam 24 in its normal set position, the trigger 26 projects into the path of the upper sash 24 intermediate a pair of vertically spaced trip pins 29 secured to said upper sash by a bracket 30. The bracket 30 is secured to the upper sash 28 at a point whereby the trigger 26 occupies the foregoing position when either one or the other sash is in an open position for ventilation.

Thereafter, if any unauthorized attempt be made to open either window sash from the outside, one or the other of the trip pins 29- will engage the trigger 26 and swing it either up or down, correspondingly moving the cam 24 and permitting the. leaf spring and tip 22 to retract,,whereupon the alarm functions.

In this manner a very effective burglar alarm isprovided; the device while being simple in its structure is nevertheless quite practical and reliable.

The lower pin 29 provides an added safety feature, as it is above the trigger 26 when both sashes are closed, and may thus prevent any appreciable opening of the sashes without an alarm being given. Also, when the trigger is disposed between the pins 29, the alarm will be given with any appreciable. closing movement of either sash, such asmight be accidentally imparted to one sash or the other by an intended intruder.

Fromthe foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention,as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having. thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent is desired:

1. In a burglar alarm which includes an alarm device onone relatively movable part of a windoworthe like, the alarm device having a trigger projecting therefrom, and a trigger trip on the other part in the path of said trigger; an alarm mechanism in said device including an element tending to oscillate, a leaf spring having a lateral tip, means mounting the leaf spring at the end opposite the tip for lateral motion between a first position with the tip clear of said element and a second position with the spring loaded and the tip in the path of and blocking said element, a fixed rod projecting outward adjacent the leaf spring intermediate its ends, a cam pivoted on the rod having a set position holding the spring. in said second position and a released position with the spring in said first position, the trigger projecting from the cam in a manner to I release the latter upon engagement by the trip.

2. A sash-window burglar alarm comprising an alarm unit mounted on top of the inner sash adjacent one side thereof, the unit including a releasable trigger projecting therefrom at right angles to said sash toward the outer sash to one side of and normally overlapping the adjacent side rail of the outer sash, the trigger including an outer portion adapted to swing up or down to a substantially vertical position from a normal horizontal position, means between the unit and trigger to cause actuation of the alarm upon said outer portion being tripped from its horizontal position, and a rigid trip pin mounted on said side rail of the outer sash and extending parallel to the sash in the path of movement of the trigger when the outer portion of the latter. is extended; the trigger being clear ofsaid path in a horizontal position.

3. An alarm as in claim 2, with a housing in which the alarm unit is mounted, and means mounting the housing on the inner sash for horizontal inward swinging movement from a predetermined normal operating position whereby to allow of relative vertical movement of the sashes when the trigger is extended.

EVERETT T. COUNTS. HAROLD BREITENBUCHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 298,137 Vassar May 6, 1884 1,068,342 Hudspeth July 22, 1913 2,443,553 Cadenhead June 15, 1948 

